diff --git a/srcpkgs/xbps-base-files/template b/srcpkgs/xbps-base-files/template
index 473d12a0d68..5adab4daf6b 100644
--- a/srcpkgs/xbps-base-files/template
+++ b/srcpkgs/xbps-base-files/template
@@ -9,6 +9,7 @@ long_desc="
  aren't installed by any other package and are required on any
  GNU/Linux system."
 
+essential=yes
 keep_empty_dirs=yes
 base_chroot=yes
 noarch=yes